Allegheny Health Network Pediatricians Provide Advice for Sick Children and Families Amid New, Eased Return to School Guidelines from the CDC

Monday, August 19, 2024

Press Releases Pediatrics

Updated Guidance States that Children May Return to School with Generally Improving Symptoms as Long as Fever is No Longer Present

PITTSBURGH - As the new school year begins, Allegheny Health Network's (AHN) Pediatric Institute is sharing advice for parents, caregivers and educators on how to handle children with respiratory illnesses or flu-like symptoms, including guidelines on when to keep children home and when students can safely return to the classroom.

Guidance from AHN pediatricians closely follows the relaxed recommendations issued earlier this year by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

According to the CDC, children who show symptoms indicating influenza, COVID-19 or any other respiratory virus may return to school if they have not had a fever for at least 24 hours (without the assistance of fever-reducing medication) and all other symptoms show general improvement.

Notably, these new guidelines allow children with improved - but still-present - symptoms such as coughing, sneezing or viral rashes to return to the classroom.

Although symptoms may persist, the spread of infection typically lessens as symptoms begin to show improvement; however, all questions or concerns should always be discussed with your local pediatrician, said Joseph Aracri, DO, Chair of AHN Pediatric Institute.

Indicators of improvements include the following, according to the CDC:

• Uncovered skin sores are crusting and/or a new rash is beginning to dissipate
• Vomiting has resolved overnight, and the child can hold down food/liquids in the morning
• Diarrhea has improved - the child is no longer having accidents, or is having no more than two bowel movements above the child's normal level per 24-hour period
• Respiratory virus symptoms, like coughing and sneezing, are getting better overall for at least 24 hours

"We're closely aligned with the recent guidelines released from the CDC, and encourage parents to send their children back to the classroom if their overall symptoms are improving and a fever is no longer present," continued Dr. Aracri. "As pediatricians, we've seen first-hand the ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic and chronic absenteeism and we're deeply committed to working closely with families to help ensure their children's social and educational development are both on track."

The U.S. Department of Education estimated that during the 2021-22 academic year, nearly 14.7 million students (almost 30%) were chronically absent, and two-thirds of enrolled students attended a school with high or extreme levels of chronic absence.

"Chronic absenteeism isn't just about missing schoolwork - it's a serious health issue that can have lasting consequences for a child's overall health and well-being," said Dr. Aracri. "Missing school can significantly disrupt learning, social development, and even physical health leading to anxiety, depression, and an increased risk of obesity and chronic illness."

This year, three high-profile education advocacy and research groups came together in Washington, D.C., to announce a national goal of cutting chronic absenteeism in half over the next five years for children in grades K-12. Among the many school attendance barriers cited by the groups were health issues, such as pediatric asthma.

While school attendance is vital for a child's development, families know their children best, Dr. Aracri said, and if a child is exhibiting any signs or symptoms of a severe illness, caregivers are strongly encouraged to speak with their pediatrician and/or go to the nearest emergency room. Those symptoms may include, but are not limited to:

• Difficulty breathing: Wheezing, rapid breathing, gasping for air, blue lips or fingertips.
• Sudden, high fever: For newborns, call your pediatrician if their temperature is above 100.4; for older children, a fever of 100.4 is treatable at home under caregiver supervision, but call your pediatric office if the fever lasts for more than 3 days.
• Severe vomiting or diarrhea: Vomiting or diarrhea that leads to dehydration (dry mouth, sunken eyes, decreased urination).
• Loss of consciousness: Fainting, seizures, unresponsive.

AHN Wexford Hospital announced in September an expansion of its pediatric care services to include inpatient and overnight care, in addition to acute services. Pediatric hospitalists and nurses trained in pediatrics are available around the clock to care for children suffering from respiratory infections, gastrointestinal illnesses and dehydration, and other acute conditions.

For more information on AHN's Pediatric Institute or to make an appointment with an AHN pediatrician, please visit ahn.org or call 412-DOCTORS.

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